Sustainable development | Brussels, 6 December 2016

The EU today co-hosted, together with the OECD, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, an event aiming to define practical ways to ensure sustainability in the international garment and footwear supply chains.

The representatives of industry, trade unions, civil society, international organisations, as well as governments of Cambodia and the main importing countries, discussed how to step up the industry's current sustainability efforts by putting into practice the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector.

The Guidance suggests how companies active in the sector could better identify, prevent and mitigate any potential harmful impacts as it comes to respect of human and labour rights, and protection of the environment.

The fully free access to the market offered by the EU to the least developed countries like Cambodia stimulates growth of their export-oriented industries and the overall economic development. This has contributed to the growth of an important clothing and footwear industry, generating employment and livelihood for many Cambodians, especially women

In line with the EU's current responsible trade policy strategy 'Trade for all', the EU puts in place initiatives to ensure that such trade-driven growth not only benefits the economy of those developing countries but also brings appropriate social and environmental practices. For more information

Programme of the event EU action for sustainable trade EU-Cambodia trade relations EU Delegation to Cambodia